Collapsible sawhorse

ABSTRACT

A pair of planar upstanding end members interconnected at their upper ends by means of a pair of generally parallel longitudinal members each individually secured between the end members or sections with the latter defining depending legs for supporting the longitudinal members extending therebetween in elevated position above a support surface upon which the end sections have their lower ends supported. An elongated top board overlies the spaced parallel longitudinal members connecting the end section and includes opposite end downwardly opening clips releasably frictionally engaged with the corresponding end portions of the longitudinal members for support of the top board in position overlying the longitudinal members and against accidental displacement relative thereto.

UnitedStates Patent [1 Hanson COLLAPSIBLE SAWHORSE [76] Inventor: Clifford C. Hanson, 100 S. Pebble,

Fremont, Nebr. 68025 [22] Filed: Mar. 9, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 233,112

[52] U.S. Cl. 182/181, 182/224 [51] Int. Cl. Fl6m 11/00 [58] Field of Search 182/153, 181-185, 182/224, 152, 119

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,852,145 9/1958 Scholz 182/152 2,599,670 6/1952 Thomas 182/152 2,854,290 9/1958 Steen 182/181 812,344 2/1906 Howser 182/183 418,938 l/l890 Bogush 182/181 2,874,003 2/1959 Humphries.... 182/153 3,276,545 10/1966 DAngelo 182/153 2,556,611 6/1951 Bergman... 182/183 3,208,553 9/1965 Gray 182/119 [11] 3,763,958 Oct 9,1973

Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney-J-larvey B. Jacobson [5 7] ABSTRACT nal members connecting the end section and includes opposite end downwardly opening clips 7 releasably frictionally engaged with the corresponding end portions of the longitudinal members for support of the top board in position overlying the longitudinal members and against accidental displacement relative thereto.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing; Figures PATENTEU OCT 9 I973 IET 10F 2 COLLAPSIBLE SAWHORSE The collapsible sawhorse of the instant invention has been designed to provide a sawhorse constructionthat may be readily disassembled and stored in compact condition. In addition, the collapsible sawhorse may be packaged in unassembled condition and thus marketed in a more efficient manner.

While several forms of brackets are presently being marketed to enable persons to construct a sawhorse merely by utilizing five sections of lumber such as 2 X 4'5 and a pair of brackets in order to erect a reasonably efficient sawhorse. However, inasmuch as these commercially available brackets only define multiple sockets into which the adjacent ends of the 2 X 4's are telescoped, the resultant sawhorses are not as strong nor do they have the load-carrying capacity of more conventional sawhorses whose 2 X 4 members are permanently interconnected.

It is accordingly the main object of this invention to provide a readily knock-down sawhorse assembly that may be stored as well as marketed in a compact condition and yet which will have strength and load-carrying capacity in excess of conventional permanent type sawhorses.

Yet another object of this invention, in accordance with the preceding object, is to provide a sawhorse construction whose various components are constructed of metal whereby a reasonably strong and durable sawhorse may be provided with a minimum of weight.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a sawhorse construction in accordance with the immediately preceding object and including a removable top board for positioning over the upper longitudinal section of the sawhorse so as to therebyprovide a wooden work surface which may be accidentally engaged by a saw without damaging the latter.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a collapsible sawhorse construction in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to erect disassemble so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the sawhorse ofthe instant invention in assembled condition;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the sawhorse construction;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged underside perspective view of one end of the top board of the sawhorse illustrating the manner in which the associated spring clip is attached to the top board;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of sawhorse incorporating a lateral extension of staging assembly;

FIG. 6 is an exploded end elevational view of the assemblage illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary end elevational view of one end of the sawhorse construction illustrated in FIG. 5 with the top board thereof removed and parts ofthe adjacent interfitting components of the sawhorse broken away and illustrated in vertical section; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the free end brace assembly of the extension illustrated in FIG. 5.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral 10 generally designates the sawhorse ofthe instant invention which includes a pair of upstanding op posite end frames referred to in general by the reference numeral I2 and a longitudinally extending upper bridge assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 14 extending and secured between the end frames 12.

Each of the end frames 12 includes a pair of oppositely inclined upwardly convergent side members 16 interconnected intermediate their upper and lower ends by means of upper and lower horizontal braces 18 and 20. The side members 16 are tubular and the horizontal braces 18 and 20 may be formed in a similar manner and secured between the side members 16 in any convenient manner such as by welding.

The upper brace assembly 14 comprises a pair of Iongitudinal members 22 including depending opposite end relatively short legs 24. The legs 24 are of a diameter to be snugly telescoped within the upper ends of the corresponding side members 16 and accordingly, it may be seen that the longitudinal members 22 may be secured between the end frames 12 in a manner to define arelatively strong but lightweight sawhorse. However, inasmuch as the longitudinal members 22 are constructed of metal, a top board 26 such as .2 X 4 is provided and has depending downwardly opening spring clips 28 secured to the opposite ends of the undersurface 30 of the top board 26 by means of suitable fasteners 32. The spring clips 28 are generally C- shaped and it may be seen from FIG. 2 of the drawings that the spring clips 28 may be utilized to frictionally support the top board 26 in position overlying the longitudinal members 22. Thus, the top board 26 serves to cover the longitudinal members 22 with a suitable member that may be cut into by a saw without damaging the saw. Of course, after the sawhorse 10 has been erected, it may be readily disassembled and stored in a reasonably compact state.

With attention invited now more specifically to FIGS. 5 through 8 of the drawings there may be seen a modified form of sawhorse referred to in general by the reference numeral 10' and which is identical in construction to the sawhorse 10 except that the opposite ends of one longitudinal member 22' thereof includes hori zontally projecting and endwise outwardly opening socket members 44. Two pairs of extension sections 36 are providedand each extension section 36 includes a horizontal tubular member 38 provided with a depending vertical tubular leg 40 adjacent but spaced from one end of the tubular member 38. The end of each tu bular member 38 remote from the corresponding leg 40 has an anchor pin 42 secured therein by means of a through fastener 44 and each anchor pin 42 includes an outer end 46 thereof which projects endwise outwardly of the corresponding member 38. A first pair of extension sections 36 are supported from the longitudinal member 22' with the outer ends 46 of the pins 42 telescoped in the socket members 34. The second pair of extension sections 36 may or may not be provided with additional legs 48 and the outer ends 46 of its pins 42 are telescoped into the free ends of the members 38 of the first pair ofextension sections 36.1n addition, an

end brace assembly referred in general by the reference numeral 50 is provided and includes a downwardly opening U-shaped frame 52 consisting of a pair of legs 54 interconnected at their upper ends by means of a horizontalbight portion 56 extending and rigidly secured therebetween. The frame 52 is provided with a pair of horizontally projecting pins 58 which are snugly telescopingly receivable in the ends of the second pair of members 38 remote from the sawhorse 10.. In this manner, the outer end of the extension defined by the four sections 36 is braced and rendered substantially rigid. Of course, the various sections 36 and the end frame 52 may be readily disassembled relative to each other and thus also readily stored in a reasonably compact condition.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An elongated sawhorse construction including a pair of upstanding horizontally spaced opposite end leg assemblies, each of said leg assemblies including a pair of rigidly interconnected upwardly convergent opposite side legs whose upper ends are disposed in spaced apart adjacent relation and define upwardly opening sockets, a pair of elongated, horizontal and parallel closely spaced apart longitudinal connecting members extending between the upper ends of corresponding legs of said leg assemblies and including opposite end depending short legs removably downwardly telescoped into the corresponding sockets, and a narrow horizontally elongated cover member, ofa material and thickness to be slightly cut by conventional wood saws without damaging the latter or severing the cover, overlying and removably anchored to said connecting members, said connecting members comprising the sole connections between said leg assemblies.

2. The combination of claim 9 including a pair of horizontally elongated generally parallel extension sections disposed outwardly of and at generally right angles to one of said connecting members, depending leg means carried by the outer ends of said extension sections and the inner ends of-said extensions and said sawhorse construction including releasably telescopingly engaged male and female socket portions supporting the inner ends of said extensions from opposite ends of said sawhorse construction.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the opposite ends of said rigid cover member includes downwardly opening C-shaped clips removably clampingly engaged with the corresponding ends of said parallel members.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the opposite ends of at least one of said parallel connecting members include means defining horizontally outwardly opening sockets, and a pair of elongated generally horizontal extension sections including one pair of corresponding ends telescoped into said horizontally out wardly opening sockets and a pair of depending support legs carried by the other pair of corresponding ends thereof.

5. A sawhorse construction including a pair of upstanding horizontally spaced opposite end leg assemblies, elongated, rigid and generally horizontal connecting means extending between and secured to the upper portions of said leg assemblies, the upper ends of said leg assemblies defining upwardly opening sockets, and the opposite ends of said connecting means including downwardly projecting elongated members snugly downwardly telescoped into said sockets, said leg assemblies each including a pair of upstanding and upwardly convergent legs suitably braced relative to each other by means of bracing means secured therebetween intermediate their upper and lower ends, the upper ends of said legs being spaced apart, each of said leg upper ends defining one of said sockets, the opposite ends of at least one of said parallel connecting members including means defining horizontally outwardly opening sockets, and a pair of elongated generally horizontal extension sections including one pair of corresponding ends telescoped into said horizontally outwardly opening sockets and a pair of depending support legs carried by the other pair of corresponding ends thereof, an outer end connecting assembly for said extension sections comprising a horizontally elongated brace extending between and removably connected to said other pair of corresponding ends of said extension sections, the opposite ends of said brace including rigid depending support legs. 

1. An elongated sawhorse construction including a pair of upstanding horizontally spaced opposite end leg assemblies, each of said leg assemblies including a pair of rigidly interconnected upwardly convergent opposite side legs whose upper ends are disposed in spaced apart adjacent relation and define upwardly opening sockets, a pair of elongated, horizontal and parallel closely spaced apart longitudinal connecting members extending between the upper ends of corresponding legs of said leg assemblies and including opposite end depending short legs removably downwardly telescoped into the corresponding sockets, and a narrow horizontally elongated cover member, of a material and thickness to be slightly cut by conventional wood saws without damaging the latter or severing the cover, overlying and removably anchored to said connecting members, said connecting members comprising the sole connections between said leg assemblies.
 2. The combination of claim 1 including a pair of horizontally elongated generally parallel extension sections disposed outwardly of and at generally right angles to one of said connecting members, depending leg means carried by the outer ends of said extension sections and the inner ends of said extensions and said sawhorse construction including releasably telescopingly engaged male and female socket portions supporting the inner ends of said extensions from opposite ends of said sawhorse construction.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the opposite ends of said rigid cover member includes downwardly opening C-shaped clips removably clampingly engaged with the corresponding ends of said parallel members.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the opposite ends of at least one of said parallel connecting members include means defining horizontally outwardly opening sockets, and a pair of elongated generally horizontal extension sections including one pair of corresponding ends telescoped into said horizontally outwardly opening sockets and a pair of depending support legs carried by the other pair of corresponding ends thereof.
 5. A sawhorse construction including a pair of upstanding horizontally spaced opposite end leg assemblies, elongated, rigid and generally horizontal connecting means extending between and secured to the upper portions of said leg assemblies, the upper ends of said leg assemblies defining upwardly opening sockets, and the opposite ends of said connecting means including downwardly projectinG elongated members snugly downwardly telescoped into said sockets, said leg assemblies each including a pair of upstanding and upwardly convergent legs suitably braced relative to each other by means of bracing means secured therebetween intermediate their upper and lower ends, the upper ends of said legs being spaced apart, each of said leg upper ends defining one of said sockets, the opposite ends of at least one of said parallel connecting members including means defining horizontally outwardly opening sockets, and a pair of elongated generally horizontal extension sections including one pair of corresponding ends telescoped into said horizontally outwardly opening sockets and a pair of depending support legs carried by the other pair of corresponding ends thereof, an outer end connecting assembly for said extension sections comprising a horizontally elongated brace extending between and removably connected to said other pair of corresponding ends of said extension sections, the opposite ends of said brace including rigid depending support legs. 